Heading to First Friday in Las Vegas? Here’s everything you need to know.
During the pandemic, First Friday Las Vegas has been doing some artist showcases at AREA 15, but now it’s back and running again!
We went back to First Friday Las Vegas as a local, this time for one of our 52 dates a year, and took some daytime photos to add to an old post.
First Friday Las Vegas is an art walk/art festival in downtown Vegas once a month. We’ve visited Vegas a lot and stayed and played on the Strip 99% of the time. Seeing a very different side of Vegas than we’re used to was nice. It’s obviously for the locals, and you get a feel for what it’s like to be a Vegas native. Vegas life outside of the strip is very different.
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Last Updated: September 28, 2023
About First Fridays
First Fridays in Las Vegas showcases local artists, makers, musicians, and more. Hosted in the Arts District every first Friday of the month, it has become a favorite spot to hang out for Las Vegans and visitors.
In addition to the monthly festival, First Friday Foundation is a non-profit that supports local arts, culture, and education in Las Vegas. They work with the Clark County School District to give artistic opportunities to students.
See More: 17+ Fun Things to Do in Downtown Las Vegas
First Fridays Location + Ticket Prices
Location: First Friday Las Vegas Art Walk is centered around the Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas. The main hub happens on Casino Center Blvd between Colorado Street and California Street but also spills into neighboring streets.
Date & Time: Every First Friday of the Month from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Cost: Free!
Parking at First Fridays
Since First Friday has gotten so popular, parking is tough if you don’t know what you’re doing. Rather than wasting time driving around downtown, they’ve put together a couple of options to make it easier.
Park & Ride: You can park at the city of Las Vegas parking garage (500 S. Main St, map). After you arrive, you can take the shuttle to and from First Friday. It runs from 3 PM to Midnight. There is additional parking at 1000 Commerce Street (map) and 902 South Casino Blvd (map).
Reservable Parking Spots: If you want to ensure you get parking, you can now reserve parking spots ahead of time at this link.
Regardless of where you decide to park, make sure the spot is clearly signed for public or event parking. If you park anywhere else, you may get ticketed or towed.
Our Visit
Here are some photos from our visit to First Friday.
I really wanted one of their grape soda bottle cap pins like the one on UP (left photo). I also loved the cassette tape art (right photo)! My dad has a ton of unused tapes, so I might try this myself.
I much prefer these art walks in the evening. Feels so much nicer out without the scorching sun.
Also, we kept forgetting that in Vegas you can carry around beer and drinks in public. It’s a strange feeling but I could definitely get used to it!
Loved the vibe of the whole place. I even picked up some vintage postcards to snail mail my friends back on the East Coast.
Where to Stay
Essential Tips
- Know the weather. If you’re visiting late fall, winter, or early spring, it still gets chilly in the evenings in Vegas. During the summer, it will still be hot at night.
- Plan your parking or use ride share.
- If you are visiting before sunset, don’t forget sunscreen and water (these are our favorite water bottles we tested on the road).
- It helps to have a small backpack with you to carry additional items. These are our favorite travel backpacks.
- Support the local artists! If you see anything you like, ask about it and make a purchase to support them.
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Las Vegas hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Las Vegas travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
- Save money on attractions with Go City.
Have you attended local artists’ festivals? Did you find anything cool?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
Oooh, I love this idea, Esther! (Thanks for your e-mail BTW!!! I felt so special!) I definitely want to link up with this!!!!!!! How often are you going to do this link-up? Once a month or once a week? Either way, I’m going to be participating!
As for the post — this looks so colorful and fun! I think I remember some of these photos from before, but there were some new ones that jumped out at me! Love your photography, always! :)
P.S. I see the design for one of the postcards you sent me! YAYYYYYYYY! (It’s also hanging on my bulletin board right in front me! Schweeeeet!)
:) I love these vintage postcards! I think I’m going to hunt more down to send out. How are you doing on your 101 postcards project?
Thanks so much Erika! :) I feel like we’re always thinking on the same wavelength.. so I figured I should. lol I’m doing this once a week! Well.. that’s the plan.. until I run out of material.
Great idea for a link-up Esther! It is nice to be reminded you don’t need a plane ticket to have an adventure. Vegas First Friday looks cool, they do a First Friday in Raleigh, that is usually pretty fun with lots of local artists.
Thanks girl! :) Exactly! I think we all get stuck in the mentality that whatever else is out there is shiny, new, and exotic.. but we forget that people from those places think that about where we live!
This is a great idea for a link-up! Sometimes you forget to explore your own city when you live there. Now I have more reason to explore my city! :)
The Las Vegas Art Walk looks fun! Did they glue the cassette tapes together? Pretty unique.
Thanks girl! :) Yeah.. you should! I think SF has so much to offer.. :P but that’s me thinking grass is greener on the other side.
I have so many random places to take you next time! :) I think so.. I really like the idea.. it’s very nostalgic. I want to try something like that.. but I don’t know how to make it different and my own.
i know!! i can’t wait to visit next!
Oh I love love love this post. It makes me so homesick but happy at the same time. I went to first Friday a few times when Vegas was my home. It was a great time!
Thank you so much. It’s so nice and relaxing. I think I appreciate this side much more than the strip. We hope to go again soon!
This looks like such a fun event! It’s a bonus that it’s free too!
It was a lot of fun! So refreshing to see a different side of Vegas, too. :)